Need more volume

**Spawn12336** · 06-06-2006, 07:05 PM

Ok, so I took the jump and mounted a pc in my show truck 3 months ago. Everything is awsome with only one exception. The volume output on the pc is sadly lacking. I need to know if there is a way to boost the output. My setup is: pc connected to a sony head unit via the aux input, then out to 2 amps, 1 for the highs and mids, 1 for the subs. The head unit has an Aux level, but all that does is make the sound "tinny", no real increase in volume. Compared to CD, the volume level is about 70%.

Any ideas???

**RedGTiVR6** · 06-06-2006, 07:27 PM

have you checked your windows volume?

have you checked your media player volume?

have you checked all of these things?

typically, going straight out of the mobo into an amplifier is no good, your line level voltage isn't high enough.

If that sony head unit doesn't up the voltage enough on the aux in line, you will run into the same problems.

**Spawn12336** · 06-06-2006, 07:46 PM

Checked all of the volulmes on the pc, using winamp, all of them are maxed out. still looking for ideas....

**RedGTiVR6** · 06-06-2006, 07:52 PM

have you tried plugging in something else in that same aux slot?

if it gets better, I'd say it has something to do with the PC

**Jahntassa** · 06-06-2006, 09:44 PM

Probably need a linelevel amplifier. Some sound cards just don't put out a lot of volume, at least not what the headunit is expecting to see.

**RedGTiVR6** · 06-06-2006, 10:02 PM

the thing is though, that aux input *should* take just about anything in and up it for the RCA outs...like in from an MP3 player, etc.

the only way I could see that being the root of the cause is if the HU is really that cheap (it is a sony afterall)

**Spawn12336** · 06-06-2006, 10:18 PM

Looks like it is the Mobo, talked to the manufacturer and it only puts out 1V rms from the soundcard. Going to try my old soundblaster external and see what that does. If no joy on that, looks like I'll have to try the line driver. Anyone know of any good ones?

**RedGTiVR6** · 06-06-2006, 10:25 PM

1v!?

ha!

thats a rare board!

most of them are far less. m10000 is .5v according to the manual.

Deal is, if it were a decent HU though, it should bump that line voltage to something decent

you need AT LEAST 2v to the amps to make a damn, what is your HU rated at RCA out?

I'm still stumped as to why you would be having such issues when you're using the sony HU aux in...

**Jahntassa** · 06-07-2006, 10:25 AM

I needed a linelevel amp for both my XM Mifi (originally) and now my CarPC. The MiFi linelevel on the car kit puts out as much as my CarPC does, so I just use the line amp post PC.

I've got this: http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pield1.html and it works great in my application.